For multiple generations of radio industry executives, air personalities and sales pros, the Mary Tyler Moore Productions CBS network sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati is the stuff of legend. From September 1978, characters such as “Venus Flytrap” and “Dr. Johnny Fever,” along with newsman “Les Nessman,” delighted viewers.
Hired as programmer of this fictitious AM radio station that went from Beautiful Music to a Top 40-driven rock station was “Andy Travis.” At the upcoming Radio Masters Sales Summit on September 13 in Cincinnati, the actor who portrayed that WKRP In Cincinnati Program Director — Gary Sandy — will be honored with the very real Radio Wayne Influencer Award.
It is a first-ever honor from Radio Ink and Streamline Publishing, parent of the Radio + Television Business Report. Sandy will appear in-person at the event to receive the award.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Sandy attended Wilmington College of Ohio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the City of New York. He began his acting career in daytime drama, working on As the World Turns, Another World, Somerset, and The Secret Storm.
Before and after his work on WKRP in Cincinnati, Sandy performed in countless film and TV productions. He has performed in over a hundred theatrical productions, taking roles such as the Pirate King in the Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance, Mortimer in the Broadway revival of Arsenic and Old Lace, Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in the national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas opposite Ann Margret, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Elliot Garfield in The Goodbye Girl, Will in The Will Rodgers Follies, and Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Sandy has also been active in live radio drama and continues to appear in theatrical productions around the country.
Deborah Parenti, President/Publisher of RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink, said, “We are especially excited and proud to present this award to Gary Sandy. His portrayal of the much beloved ‘Andy Travis’ brought to life a character who inspired many to join the radio profession. And his ongoing career in both stage and screen roles beyond that memorable show have only continued to provide inspiration and admiration through his multi-faceted talents.”
In 2022 Streamline Publishing launched the Radio Masters Sales Summit as a conference focused strictly on radio sales, sales marketing, and sales management. Our goal is to inform, educate, motivate, and inspire with presentations by Roy Williams, Matt Sunshine, Paul Jacobs, and many others.
This year’s Summit takes place over September 13-14, 2023, at the Cincinnati Airport Marriott. Early bird registration (save $300) is open now!
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